This Just In: Kwity Paye's big night; back to the beach

Also, a reprieve for the Park Theatre? [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, April 29 [Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye, who was born in a refugee camp after his family fled Liberia and grew up in Providence, is shown in an October 2020 game against Michigan State. Paye starred at Bishop Hendricken and is expected to drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday.]( [This Just In: Kwity Paye's big night; back to the beach]( Also, a reprieve for the Park Theatre? Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. This is the first edition of the newsletter in 13 days. So where have I been? Well, I was off for a week, then couldn't think of any jokes for a few days. Tonight's the NFL Draft, and I'm psyched. It's not last year, when the draft was literally the only live sports event other than Korean baseball, Taiwanese basketball and rugby from New Zealand. But my Eagles have more picks than any other team, I'm excited to see what position the Patriots trade down to, and, most of all, there's Kwity Paye. The former Bishop Hendricken superstar is projected to go in the first round tonight. We've covered Paye's career for years, and Eric Rueb looked back [on some of the defining moments]( of his remarkable journey, which started in a West African refugee camp. Sports writer Mark Daniels will be live blogging the activities of the Sons of Belichick; [follow along here]( Rhode Island beaches [will be open at full capacity]( this summer, Gov. Dan McKee announced today. Masks will be required in crowded places such as concession areas, as they were last year — though it might be a challenge to find any place at the beach that is not crowded. If you're eager to get back to an amusement park, Six Flags New England [is planning to reopen next month]( The state Health Department r[eported one coronavirus-related death and 296 additional cases](. So far the state has reported 41 COVID-related deaths occurred this month, which means that this month could see the fewest deaths since the start of the pandemic. Up to now, the low mark for deaths was July, which saw 49. The seven-day new-case average is down 42% from two weeks ago, but the number of hospitalized COVID patients is unchanged over that time.  Is marijuana legalization inevitable in Rhode Island? Yes, say the leaders of both houses in the General Assembly. Is it inevitable this year? [Both say no]( Rhode Island's director of human services, Courtney Hawkins, [is moving on]( Look, [hummingbirds]( Finally, is there new hope for the future of the Park Theatre in Cranston? The theater [was supposed to have been auctioned]( this afternoon, but that [was postponed]( at the request of an undisclosed party. Have a great night. I'll be back in fewer than 13 days. And in the meantime, if you enjoy This Just In, please [encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback]( © 2021 75 Fountain St. , Providence, RI 02902